Timelines for Pension and Gratuity Authorization on Superannuation: DoPPW’s Latest Guidelines (October 2025)
The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has issued a new Office Memorandum (OM No. 11/1/2025-P&PW(H)-VII dated 31 October 2025)** prescribing clear timelines for completing all activities related to pension and gratuity authorization upon the superannuation of Central Government employees.**
This latest clarification ensures that every retiring government servant receives their pension and gratuity on time, with all offices involved adhering strictly to the prescribed deadlines under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021.
🗓️ Key Timelines and Procedures for Pension & Gratuity Authorization
The process involves several coordinated activities by the Head of Department (HoD), Head of Office, Accounts Officer, and Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO). Here’s a simplified breakdown of the timelines as per the OM:
1. Preparation of List of Retiring Employees (Rule 54)
- By: Head of Department (HoD)
- Timeline: By the 15th of every month
- Task: Prepare a list of all government servants due to retire within the next 15 months.
- Purpose: To begin the preparatory work for pension processing well in advance.
2. Verification of Government Accommodation (Rule 55)
- By: Head of Office / Directorate of Estates
- Timeline: At least one year before retirement
- Task: Obtain details of government accommodation from the employee and send them to the Directorate of Estates to issue a “No Demand Certificate (NDC)”.
- Deadline for NDC: Before 8 months from retirement.
3. Verification of Service Records (Rules 56 & 57)
- By: Head of Office
- Timeline: Within one year before retirement
- Task: Verify service records, rectify deficiencies in the service book, and ensure all service details are complete.
4. Submission of Pension Forms by Employee (Rule 57(2)(a))
- By: Retiring Government Servant
- Timeline: Not later than 6 months before retirement
- Task: Submit Form 6-A (pension application form) to the Head of Office.
5. Completion of Pension Calculation by Office (Rules 59 & 60)
- By: Head of Office
- Timeline: At least 4 months before retirement
- Task: Complete Part-I of Form 7, attach the checklist and pension calculation sheet (Format 10), and forward the case to the Accounts Officer.
6. Issue of Pension Payment Order (PPO) (Rule 63)
- By: Accounts Officer
- Timeline: At least 2 months before retirement
- Task: Verify documents, complete checks, and issue the Pension Payment Order (PPO).
7. Forwarding to CPAO and Disbursement
(a) Accounts Officer → CPAO
- Timeline: Within 2 months of receiving pension papers.
- Task: Send a copy of the PPO and Form 6-A undertaking to CPAO for issuing the Special Seal of Authority (SSA).
(b) CPAO → Pension Disbursing Authority
- Timeline: Within 21 days of receipt of PPO from the Accounts Officer.
- Task: Issue SSA and forward PPO and related documents to the Pension Disbursing Authority (PDA).
(c) Pension Disbursing Authority
- Task: Disburse pension on the exact due date of retirement.
🏛️ Instructions for All Ministries and Departments
The OM instructs all Ministries, Departments, and attached/subordinate offices to circulate these guidelines among staff dealing with pensionary matters. Compliance with these timelines will ensure timely pension and gratuity payments to retiring government employees without administrative delays.
📄 Summary of Key Points
| Activity | Responsible Authority | Time Before Retirement | Rule Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| List of retiring employees | Head of Department | 15 months | Rule 54 |
| Govt accommodation details | Head of Office / DoE | 1 year | Rule 55 |
| Service verification | Head of Office | 1 year | Rules 56 & 57 |
| Submission of Form 6-A | Employee | 6 months | Rule 57(2)(a) |
| Completion of Form 7 | Head of Office | 4 months | Rules 59 & 60 |
| PPO issue | Accounts Officer | 2 months | Rule 63 |
| SSA issue & pension disbursement | CPAO & PDA | 21 days before due date | Rule 63(4) |
💬 Final Note
This OM (dated 31 October 2025) reflects the government’s focus on ensuring timely settlement of retirement benefits. Strict adherence to these timelines will benefit thousands of Central Government employees retiring every year.